Overview

Ratings & Reviews

Synopsis

The Big LebowskiThe plot of this Raymond Chandler-esque comedy crime caper from the Coen Brothers (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen) pivots around a case of mistaken identity complicated by extortion, double-crosses, deception, embezzlement, sex, pot, and gallons of White Russians (made with fresh cream, please). In 1991, unemployed '60s refugee Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) grooves into his laid-back Los Angeles lifestyle. One of the laziest men in LA, he enjoys hanging with his bowling buddies, pompous security-store owner Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and mild-mannered ex-surfer Donny (Steve Buscemi). However, the Dude's life takes an alternate route the afternoon two goons break into his threadbare Venice, California, bungalow, rough him up, and urinate on his living room rug. Why? Because Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) is owed money by the wife of a certain Jeff Lebowski. However, the goons grabbed the wrong Jeff Lebowski. With the right info, they would have invaded the home of philanthropic Pasadena millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Dude looks up his wealthy namesake, manages to get a replacement for his rug, and meets the millionaire's sexy young wife Bunny (Tara Reid). Later, Jeffrey ("The Big") Lebowski calls in the Dude to deliver a $1 million ransom for the return of his kidnapped wife. Fine -- except that Walter intrudes and botches the ransom drop. As events unravel, the Dude gets caught up in the schemes of Lebowski's daughter, erotic artist Maude (Julianne Moore), encounters both cops and bad guys, and drifts through an elaborate bowling fantasy sequence titled Gutterballs. The soundtrack includes Bob Dylan, Yma Sumac, Moondog, Captain Beefheart, and the Sons of the Pioneers. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Cast & Crew

Overall Customer Rating

4.7 (261 Reviews)

98% of customers recommend this product.

3

Very odd, but people can either love or hate it.
Posted by: BasilioBoy777 from: Provo, UT on “The Big Lebowski” is an . . . odd film, to say the least, and that’s pretty much universally agreed upon. The key element here is, then, does its oddness appeal to you personally? If it does, you’ll love this movie. If it doesn’t, you’ll probably end up hating it, or at the least be very, very confused.
The Cohen brothers have a history of odd, artsy films that can be funny as well as confusing. This comedy (and it is a bit of a stretch to label it as such) is a cult-classic from 1998. It follows the story of Jeffery “The Dude” Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges, an unemployed amateur bowler and professional slacker, as he gets mixed up in a complicated case of kidnapping and mistaken identity, among many other things. Trying to explain the narrative beyond that is a Herculean task in and of itself, as its complication surpasses even Dan Brown or Nolan levels. In one sense, it’s a slice-of-life tale about the Dude, but it’s a particularly strange slice here. A lot of things happen, not always related to each other or even in a logical sequence. That, though, is where most of the comedy comes in this film; the sheer oddity of the situations, the characters, and most importantly, those characters’ reactions to those situations.
I would not say that for me personally, that this film was hilarious, but I also wouldn’t say it was terrible either, as I did laugh quite a bit during. This really is one of those films that is experienced and liked on a person-to-person basis. There is a lot here that is pointless: some characters, most dialogue, several scenes and sequences; all of which adds up to essentially nothing. But this film’s lack of a point is the point itself. This is great if this works for you, but disastrous if it doesn’t.
Bridges is great as the Dude, and it was one of those performances where it was so good, it seems like it wasn’t really acting and that is what the actor is really like. He’s likable in his own loserly way. John Goodman plays the Dude’s best friend Walter, who is immediately unlikable; you wonder why the Dude puts up with him. The rest of the actors and characters, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Julliane Moore, Tara Reid, Steve Buscemi, are all memorable in their own eccentricities but episodic in their appearances and unimportant in their significance. Again though, their pointlessness is their point. There are other good things to be had in this film. The cinematography is really good and creative in some spots, particularly in the dream sequences, which are arguably the best scenes in the film.
It’s like I said, this film is best taken on an individual basis. I can see why some people like it, and I can also certainly see why some people hate it. Personally, I liked it well enough; I don’t love it, and certainly wouldn’t rank it among my favorite films or even comedies, but it’s far from terrible; it was entertaining enough to find amusing. You may like its strangeness and eccentricity; you may hate its pointlessness and unfocused narrative. You may love its memorable and quirky characters; you may hate its confusing structure. Take it at your own pace. Like it or not, either way, I’m sure the Dude will abide.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

5

Classic Dudes!!
Posted by: BullfrogDave from: The Pass, TX on The Dude left no doubt who the Dude is. This is a must view for aspiring dudes. Great story dude line. An enjoyable and comical, digitally improved movie. My dude son also enjoyed it. Legalize it Dudes!

2 out of 2 found this review helpful.

5

Classic
Posted by: DownUnder from: on Coen Brothers do it again with this one. All time favorite movie that is funny all the way through. John Goodman was great in a part that seemed to be written for him.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

Funniest Movie Ever
Posted by: MattyHubastank from: on This movie has my vote for funniest movie of all time. I've watched it over 100 times easily. Jeff Bridges is brilliant as the misunderstood slacker and John Goodman steals the show as the overzealous war veteran. But the real star is John Turturro who only has a small part but is unforgetable as "Jesus," their bowling rival. This movie has even spurned a yearly festival in its honor: The Lebowski Fest held in Louisville, KY. If you don't own this movie, you are missing out.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

DUDE
Posted by: MrMovies from: Ft Wayne, In on Dude, need I say anymore. This a great movie with an allstar cast. A must own.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

5

This Critic Abides!
Posted by: criticalmass83 from: USA on The Coen Brothers have many great films under their belt. The Oscar-winning FARGO, RAISING ARIZONA, and O' BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? to name a few. However, people often omit THE BIG LEBOWSKI, and I have no idea why. It's status as a cult classic aside, LEBOWSKI holds title to one of the most memorable characters in film history: The Dude... and he abides.
Highly Recommended.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

4

My son's favorite movie
Posted by: BillyFred from: Cadillac, MI on This movie is a bit silly far fetched side but it is still a must see. My son watches it over and over.

0 out of 1 found this review helpful.

3

average
Posted by: sltbighrn from: slater, ia on Decent movie good actors not what I really expected

0 out of 1 found this review helpful.

3

obnoxious movie
Posted by: WhatAWorld from: Jacksonville, FL on good movie, would be better without all the cursing. It's not necessary to be vil vulgar to be good.

0 out of 1 found this review helpful.

3

The Big Lebowski
Posted by: Hoppy from: L.A., CA on Let me see if I can remember what I said from the first time I reviewed The Big Lebowski... This is one of those filcks you either "get" or don't. I didn't.
Jeff Bridges wasn't bad, I didn't care for John Goodman's character or his acting. Steve Buscemi and John Tuturro were good. Story was just OK to me, I like other Coen brothers flicks better than this one.